After a dozen years at the helm, Keith Levinthal has stepped down as head coach of the Manhattanville men’s hockey team.
Levinthal, the only coach the team has ever had, leaves as the sixth winningest coach in Division III college hockey history with a record of 202-84-28 (.688).
Eric Lang, currently the head coach of Manhattanville’s women’s team, has been named as the new head coach of the men’s team.
“The past 12 years coaching the hockey team has been a life-changing experience,” Levinthal said. “As gratifying as the team’s accomplishments have been, I could never compare them to the many fine young men I’ve come to know from all over the world. I will miss that part of the job the most. It’s what makes being a college coach the best job in the world.”
Under Levinthal, the team has played in four NCAA tournaments and achieved a .500 or better record every season but the inaugural 1999-2000 year. He was named the ECAC West Coach of the Year twice and won the ECAC West tournament championship four of the last seven years.
Levinthal will continue to serve as athletic director, a position he has held for the last nine years.
“I’ve been working very hard the last few months to make this change happen,” Levinthal said. “It is not often that you get the opportunity to choose your successor, but I’ve known Eric for a long time and believe he is the right person to lead this program. He’ll do a terrific job and I’ll be his number one supporter. Despite the proximity to the start of the season, we are prepared for a great year.”
Lang takes over the reins just two weeks before Manhattanville starts the season with an exhibition game against the USA Under-18 team.
“The opportunity and confidence Keith has shown in me to take over the men’s hockey program is truly flattering and I thank him for giving me this chance,” Lang added.
